Power bucket

Abstract

A bucket for power shovels is disclosed having a first bucket half and a second bucket half. Each bucket half includes a pair of spaced side walls and an end wall extending between the side walls which together forms a scoop for each bucket half. The bucket halves are pivotally secured together so that the scoops face each other and are movable between an open position in which the scoops are spaced apart from each other and a closed position in which the scoops space each other and form a load carrying chamber. The side walls of the bucket half overlap each other upon closure to minimize the spillage of the load out through the sides of the bucket during a scooping operation. Furthermore, a flap valve is mounted to an upper side of at least one of the bucket halves to allow water and air to freely escape from the interior chamber of the bucket as the bucket is lowered. This valve, however, prevents spillage of the load from the interior of the bucket.

I claim: 
     
       1. A bucket for a power shovel comprising: a first bucket half and second bucket half, each bucket half having spaced sidewalls and an endwall extending between said sidewalls, said sidewalls and endwall for each bucket half forming a scoop,   means for pivotally mounting said bucket halves together between an open position in which said scoops are spaced apart from each other and face each other and a closed position in which said endwalls abut each other and form a closed bottom for the bucket,   at least one bucket half having an upper surface with an opening,   valve means provided on said upper surface of said at least one bucket half for enabling air and water to exhaust from an interior of said scoops through said opening, said valve means being movable between an open position in which said valve means allows air to escape from said bucket halves through said opening and a closed position in which said valve means covers said opening and retains solid material within said interior of said scoops.   
     
     
       2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a rigid mesh and flap which overlies said mesh, said flap being movable between a closed position in which said flap is in abutment with said mesh and an open position in which said flap is spaced from said mesh. 
     
     
       3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said flap is constructed of a resilient material. 
     
     
       4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein one edge of said flap is attached along one edge of said mesh. 
     
     
       5. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising said valve means on each bucket half. 
     
     
       6. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising means for selectively vibrating said bucket halves. 
     
     
       7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said vibrating means comprises a pneumatic vibrator. 
     
     
       8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein one sidewalls on one of said bucket half overlaps the sidewalls on the other bucket half when said bucket halves are in said closed position. 
     
     
       9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said sidewalls on said other bucket half taper inwardly towards each other. 
     
     
       10. The invention as defined in claim 9 and comprising means for sealing the sidewalls on one bucket half to the sidewalls of the other bucket when said bucket halves are in said closed position. 
     
     
       11. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a selectively inflatable bag contained within the interior of said scoops. 
     
     
       12. The invention as described in claim 1 and comprising a transducer module mounted to the bucket for providing an output signal of the depth of the bucket in a waterway. 
     
     
       13. The invention as described in claim 1 and comprising means for mounting a television camera to the bucket. 
     
     
       14. A bucket for a power shovel comprising: a first bucket half and a second bucket half, each bucket half having spaced sidewalls and an endwall extending between said sidewalls, said sidewalls and endwall for each bucket half forming a scoop,   means for pivotally mounting said bucket halves together between an open position in which said scoops are spaced apart from each other and face each other and a closed position in which said endwalls abut each other and form a closed bottom for the bucket,   valve means provided on an upper surface of at least one bucket half for enabling air and water to exhaust from an interior of said scoops, said valve means retaining solid material within said interior of said scoops,   wherein said valve means comprises a rigid mesh and flap which overlies said mesh, said flap being movable between a closed position in which said flap is in abutment with said mesh and an open position in which said flap is spaced from said mesh.   
     
     
       15. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said flap is constructed of a resilient material. 
     
     
       16. The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein one edge of said flap is attached along one edge of said mesh. 
     
     
       17. A bucket for a power shovel comprising: a first bucket half and a second bucket half, each bucket half having spaced sidewalls and an endwall extending between said sidewalls, said sidewalls and endwall for each bucket half forming a scoop,   means for pivotally mounting said bucket halves together between an open position in which said scoops are spaced apart from each other and face each other and a closed position in which said endwalls abut each other and form a closed bottom for the bucket,   valve means provided on an upper surface of at least one bucket half for enabling air and water to exhaust from an interior of said scoops, said valve means retaining solid material within said interior of said scoops,   wherein one of said sidewalls on one of said bucket halves overlaps a sidewall on the other bucket half when said bucket halves are in said closed position,   wherein said sidewalls on said other bucket half taper inwardly towards each other, and     means for sealing the sidewalls on one bucket half to the sidewalls of the other bucket when said bucket halves are in said closed position.